Saving a Little Girl’s Life Inspired Her to Become a Personal Support Worker

As we all have, Anderson College students have faced unprecedented challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In an attempt to focus on the triumphs and celebrate the courage and tenacity of our community, we launched a My2020 Story Campaign. Students were asked a few poignant questions to spark the sharing of their experiences and insights. The response was overwhelming and, in the process, we have been blown away by their authentic sharing and inspired by the powerful lessons they have learned. We are grateful to all those who contributed and are richer for having you in our Anderson family.

Here is one such story, for you …

Among the things that are happening in Canada and around the world, regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and other occurrences, I was able to impact a six-year-old girl’s life by saving her from a drowning incident at her house pool. I was her caregiver, and I was off duty at the time but was able to perform Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) which saved her life.

As I walked down the road, I could hear, “This is the worst year, I have ever seen.” As I hurriedly jumped on the train trying to reach work on time, I could hear, “My gosh!!! Why does this have to happen?” As I entered the building, I could hear, “It’s a pity! Thousands of people are dying.” As I stopped to listen, I could hear, “I feel like giving up”. As I waited at the bus stop, I could hear, “there are no jobs, everywhere closing down.” As I walked through my neighbourhood, I could hear, “I can’t go back to my country, there are no flights.” As I stepped through my house door and stared at my television, I could see, thousands of protestors marching. Some crying, some shouting, some lying on the streets with blood running, some holding plaque cards, bearing the words “We Want Justice.” I even saw persons lying on the ground uttering, “Don’t kill me!” These were the utterances and actions that came from those who were feeling the harsh effects of COVID-19 pandemic, also, those who believed that racism was in effect and needed to be ended. Isn’t this enough for me to lose hope in year 2020? Yes, it is, but something wonderful inspired me to keep me going.

“I migrated to Canada with my mind made up to do all that I can, to make a meaningful contribution to this lovely country, while I seek a better life here.”

I migrated to Canada with my mind made up to do all that I can to make a meaningful contribution to this lovely country, while I seek a better life here. I came to the realization that this country is a multinational country and as such, I have had different experiences while I struggled to understand the different cultures and ethnic backgrounds, and to live my daily life among them all.

Life has changed immensely for me as I pushed myself not to give up. I came to realize that, not to be employed was not an option if I was to survive here in Canada, and would make it more challenging. Having two jobs was the only option for me. Being away from my immediate family and relatives, made it three times harder, and the only thing that kept me pushing was the constant reminder that I migrated for a better life. I was a total stranger, and I was constantly reminded of this each time I would take the wrong bus or the wrong subway.

“My inspiration was that I was a caregiver for a six -year-old girl, and this was my first job in Canada in the year 2020.”

One day I spent 20 minutes walking in circles at each subway station – I couldn’t find my way out, and after all of that, I would walk the wrong direction (not knowing East, West, North, South) to my workplace. Sadly, I spent half of the day travelling on what was supposed to be a 45-minute journey to work. And then when I reached work, my employer said, “Desrine, did you think you were scheduled for the 3pm – 11pm shift?” Of course, that was a rhetorical question, as we all knew I scheduled for the 7am – 3pm shift and with that, I was sent home, losing a day’s pay. Wasn’t that enough to let me lose hope? Yes, but something wonderful inspired me to keep me going.

My inspiration was that I was a caregiver for a six -year-old girl, and this was my first job in Canada in the year 2020. I enjoyed caring for her as I saw a lot of potential in her. There was never a dull moment with her at home. She would call me her big sister and I would call her my little sister. The family of three would see me as a part of the family. The family comprised of the mother, the father and the six-year-old, who I will call fictitiously “Anna.”

One day, as I was relieved from duty by both parents, I walked through the door, and headed to the bus stop, which was in close proximity to Anna’s home, about 30 meters. After waiting for about 20 minutes on the bus, I heard screaming and yelling coming from Anna’s house. I could hear her mother shouting, “Anna! Anna!” Even though the bus was in sight, I rushed back to the house and saw Anna’s father coming out of the pool with what seemed to be the lifeless body of Anna. I rushed towards the father, grabbed Anna out of his hands and started doing Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) until the paramedics arrived.

“This incident gave me the reason to become a more qualified caregiver and, because of this, I am now enrolled as a student at Anderson College, pursuing a diploma in Personal Support Worker with an intention of going even further in healthcare.”

Thank goodness – her life was saved and based on the paramedics’ report, if she had not received the CPR, within 2 minutes of when I gave it, she would have died. Neither of the parents knew how to perform CPR. Is this enough to keep me going? Yes, it is! This is something wonderful which has taken me through life. So, even with all that is happening surrounding COVID-19, what appear to be racial differences among us around the world, and the personal challenges I have experienced in Canada, I now realize I have what it takes to keep me going.

That is, I have the inspiration I got from saving the life of a little girl who is so promising to society and who is also so treasured by her parents, and now they will continue to enjoy their lives together.

This incident gave me the reason to become a more qualified caregiver and, because of this, I am now enrolled as a student at Anderson College, pursuing a diploma in Personal Support Worker with an intention of going even further in healthcare. I remember at all times, that I pledged to contribute meaningfully to the country of Canada and to make myself a ‘better person’, while living here. And this is certainly happening. What could be more meaningful than saving the life of this little girl who now can become the next public figure or just a meaningful citizen of Canada?! I encourage everyone not to give up, and he or she will soon find an inspiration to keep going.

In life, no matter the negativities happening around you, encourage yourself and maintain your focus and perseverance. Set goals and never settle for less than what you want. Always endeavour to help others when you can. Remember in life: ‘United we stand; Divided we Fall’ and ‘No Man is an Island; No man Stands Alone’ as we’ve all heard. We all need each other.

Desrine H.

To learn more about the Personal Support Worker Certificate or one of our other 30+ leading-edge programs to help you take life to the next level of success, book a virtual appointment with our Admissions Team today!

Take the “Anderson College Career Discovery Quiz”